Video: Ill. Boy Rescued, Father Arrested

Firehouse.com Editor's Note: The Chicago Daily Herald is reporting that the fire was intentionally set and is now a criminal matter.

An Elgin firefighter heroically saved a 2-year-old boy from a burning home on the city's west side Thursday afternoon, minutes before the toddler could have died from smoke inhalation, officials said.

Meanwhile, fire officials said the boy's father remains in police custody and they're calling the fire suspicious. Elgin Deputy Police Chief Jeff Swoboda said he's unsure when any charges might be filed.

Elgin Fire Department Battalion Chief Terry Bruce said rescue crews arrived at the raised ranch on the 500 block of Cumberland Trail at 3:13 p.m. to find the child's mother and father in the front yard.

Firefighter Kevin Hartmann rushed inside after he learned that a 2-year-old was still in the home. He found the toddler in a high chair as smoke descended toward the boy's head, Bruce said.

Hartmann grabbed the toddler and rushed him outside to safety.

"A couple more minutes and the baby would have been overcome with smoke," Bruce said.

The boy's father was arrested, Bruce added, after physically trying to stop firefighters from putting out the fire. Bruce called the fire suspicious.

Swoboda only confirmed a man was being questioned. Investigators remained at the scene late Thursday and the fire's cause has yet to be officially determined.

"We're not releasing a name because he hasn't been charged yet. The investigation is ongoing," Swoboda said.

The baby's grandmother tried to put out the fire when it started, but she had to leave the home, Bruce added. She was examined at the scene and didn't suffer any injuries.

The blaze, which started in the first-floor bedroom that belonged to the boy's father, was brought under control in about 30 minutes, Bruce said.

The blaze rendered the home uninhabitable.

"It definitely started in the first-floor bedroom, the cause we're not sure about yet," Bruce said.

A firefighter was overcome by exhaustion during the fire, Bruce added.